Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-10-07

it. While Henry s. Irves was fight
ing his mighty financial battles and
winning for himself the title of the
Young Napoleon of Wall street. dwell
ing in little palace lined with ivory
and gold but cursed by the consuming
desire to be rich. and forgetful, like
Mr.. Gould. how full of calm and sooth-
ing content is the simple following sim
pie letter, written by man who
undertook last year TO naugurate
Shakesperian revival in Southern Ohio:
CINCINNATI o., Aug. 3, 1886.
Mr.. Henry S. hes, Ntw York. " y
DEAR SIR: have just arrived In this city
after a long and facilitating but rather enjoy
able trip over your line, aud now take pen in
hand TO thank you for the use of your roadbed
from indianapolis to this place. 1t Is good
road, and | was surprised to find It well
ballasted and furnished with cool retreats and
shady culyerts every few miles wherein a man
could rest
1t Is good route for the poor but pampered
tragedian TO take, and watermelons grow close
to the fence ! have Travelled over many other
roads since the new and perncious law, but
nowhere have found watermelous more sue
culent or less COY and secretiye than on your
justly celebrated line. ! also notice with
pleasure that green corn Is st.ll susceptible
and wild paw paws are glowing in the sum.
mer sun.
thought | saw you 90 by in your special
car just north OF the first trestle outside Of
town, hut you went by so fast that could
not tell definitely TIL too late. Please excuse
me for not speaking TO you as you passed BY
Success on the stage has not taught me TO for
get or ignore my friends whenever | am
thrown in contact with them.
People write me that New York
State is rapidly settling up, and
property is advancing rapidly in every
direction. Is this SOL Advancing rapidly in
every direction is, suppose, one OF the most
difficult feats known to calsthenics. have
tried II myself, years ago. but now do not
practice II, having quit drinking altogether.
L hope you will let me know any time that |
can be OF use TO you, either in moving weeds
or gathering nuts that have ripened and fallen
oil your track | enjoy, especially in the
autumn when the hectic Of the dying year has
flooded the forests with its multiplied gories,
and the cricket sings his sleepy song TO the
tired heart, and the locust lifts his lawn now
er voice in the boughs Of the poplar, 10 60
nutting along prolific railroad track.
would be glad also, If YOU have not secur-
ed any one else, 10 assist YOU In herding your
stock on Wall street. Railroad stock fire.
quently runs down and gets the hollow horn
for lack Of care during the winter months
Always feel free TO call on me at any time
that | can be Of any service 10 YOU
Yours truly,
A B.
The moral to be d rawn from the
career of Napoleon Bonaparte Ives is
that they who make haste to be rich
may not be innocent. As Gen Nc
Clellan once said, there can be no
better incentive to integrity than the
generous approval accorded to honesty
by those who are honest. All other
kinds of approval are not worth strug-
Cling for. Money VIII buy a certain
kind Of applause, but it is the kind
that turns to scorn when Justice begins
to get in her fine work.
And life itself is brief Stored urn
and animated bust may succeed well in
society, but they cannot soothe the
dull, cold ear of death. Freckled
granite and prevaricaling marble may
perpetuate the fraud OF lifetime, but
they do not always indicate success.
For myself would rather have more
sincere and honest friends through life,
and afterwards content myself with a
plain tomb.
Not many miles from the costly
mausoleum Of great millionaire
sign board by the roadside reads:
..5S This way TO Foey's Grove
Enjoy life while you live, for
You'll be a long time dead.